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I want to see Tesla succeed yet I am concerned that forcing a new vision for rear-car access via the falcon doors may turn many buyers off. I love the concept. I see the benefits of the falcon doors. I even like the style of them. But they will not work for many people. Those who want a roof rack, those who have low-ceiling garages, those who are concerned about rain or snow falling into the cabin when opened, etc. There are just too many potential negatives to some demographics. Therefore, if they were optional they would not hinder sales. Yes, I know that engineering an optional traditional door would cost more, however I'm sure the additional sales would more than make up for it. You already have rear doors on the S so I'm sure it wouldn't be that difficult to design a traditional door for the X. Even further, allow the option of having just 1 falcon door and 1 traditional door. That would free up some roof space for racks.

jk2014 | 24. Januar 2013

I think the real sales for the model x will through people with kids. Not sure falcon wing doors will help with those sales but we'll see.

There is no other suv(or minivan) out there that compare with the fuel economy or storage space. Only real hinderance will be the price. There will be probably millions more sold if they could make an 85 version under 55k. Reservations will be through the roof...

Blip | 25. Januar 2013

Hear, hear! My biggest concern is the snow and rain on the roof. I've written it before, but it seems that the doors are designed by/for people with no experience with (real) snow.

Benz | 25. Januar 2013

With the Model S an Panoramic Roof is optional.

And if the Falcon Doors on the Model X were to be optional, then the Model X could also be delivered with a Panoramic Roof. That would be really great. Therefore I think that Topic Starter has got a good point: "make the Falcon Doors optional".

But still, some people will prefer the Model X with Falcon Doors. They can have that choise as well. Everybody happy.

RDoc | 26. Januar 2013

I totally agree with Benz. While I love the appearance and action of the falcon doors, they seem impractical and prone to failure to me for the reasons Benz mentioned.

Brian H | 26. Januar 2013

But without them, how will the X fly?

Mvaknin | 26. Januar 2013

I 100% agree about giving the option. But to me, the price has to reasonable. If the price is less than 55k, Tesla will take over the SUV world. A leasing option on both models has to be in the future plans.

Quigibo | 26. Januar 2013

Totally Agree---Tesla please come up with a pop out sliding side door---just be innovative so it does not look like a weird minivan.

Falcon Doors can be optional for those that have the garage height and space to work with them.

Brian H | 27. Januar 2013

FWIW, Tesla claims the falcon wing doors swing up in less space than sliding doors require.

Blip | 27. Januar 2013

FWIW, Tesla claims the falcon wing doors swing up in less space than sliding doors require.
Yes, but that's not the issue here. Have you ever experienced snow and rain?

I'm afraid the Tesla company will act much like Apple do. They bring simple choices to the people by answering all "options" and wishes with statements like "You don't need that." I hope not, though ;)

Brian H | 27. Januar 2013

The X has been designed to flash-heat the roof to loosen ice, followed by supersonic vibrations to make it shatter and fall off.

Or not.

Benz | 28. Januar 2013

I have personally taken a lot of time already to choose between the Model S and the Model X. And I still have not made a choise yet. Because the Model S is just so fantastically to see. But I just do not like the 2 seats for children in the back. OK, so leave that space for just luggage. But that is just the point why the Model X becomes so practical. Because 7 adults can sit comfortly in this car, and there is enough space for luggage as well. And then we get to the options. I really would like to have a big Panoramic Roof on the Model X. Even if that means that the Falcon Doors will have to be dropped. The Panoramic Roof is more important for me than the Falcon Doors are. I hope that I have made my point clearly.

cprenzl | 30. Januar 2013

now thinking about the fact that elon mentioned the largest door opening around... that would be very hard for him to get doors to fill that large opening, don't think they would drop the doors now, they should be able to come up with something creative to fix the snow rain issue

Eple | 30. Januar 2013

I'm also hoping for some alternate sliding doors. The falcon wings are cool but could be a dealbreaker for me since I live in Norway and we have winther every year.. I rather have a 5 seat sliding door X than a 7 seat falcon wing. I'm also unsure if my garage ceiling is high enough for the falcon wings.

danielccc | 30. Januar 2013

I don't usually pay attention to SUV and crossovers, but when I do, I pay attention to the Model X.

And, honestly, I think the falcon wing doors are a very "California" feature, or at least a warm place feature. I can picture them in tropical climates and that kind of thing. They will even, when open, provide nice shade and plenty of air to somebody simply sitting in the car.

But where snow, ice, and rain rule the skies, I just don't think they are going to work at all.

So I think requesting that they be optional is brilliant.

Benz | 31. Januar 2013

Yes, let the buyers decide what they really want to have, give them all the options. And then you will see which option is most popular for people. There may indeed be a geographical reason (climate), just like danielccc already has mentioned it.

Silkefot | 31. Januar 2013

I promise that if another door solution would be possible, I will by this car. In the land of snow and roof boxes this is no-go. It also happens to be that the same country is the biggest Tesla marked so far...

Alex K | 31. Januar 2013

It seems that having multiple rear door solutions would complicate Tesla's manufacturing. There would have to be stampings for new doors and body panels. There would also have to be new interior trim and hardware. Different crash testing would also have to be considered. I think with a scheduled introduction in 2014, and no alpha or beta prototypes running around now, that I wouldn't expect alternate doors to appear right away. Just calling an alternate door an "option", and saying that the customer should decide, will not change the complexities for multiple rear doors.

Brian H | 1. Februar 2013

Alex K;
Good point. I give very low probability of optional doors. The X will live or die on falcon wings.

Benz | 1. Februar 2013

Maybe after a few years (2020)?

Brian H | 1. Februar 2013

More likely to come out with a station wagon variant, I think

Benz | 1. Februar 2013

A station wagon variant shall also have lots of space inside the car, as by definition a station wagon always is a long car. Could it be possible that this station wagon variant shall have a third row with 2 seats for adults (as an option) like in the Model X? That would be great. And this station wagon variant will also be a little bit longer than the Model X, I think. Exciting stuff is coming.

Lanber | 1. Februar 2013

I have a reservation for X and I will have to cancel it if I cant have normal doors when time to configure comes.

Norway is a cold place, 9 month darkness and 3 months bad skiing conditions. Ice and snow on the roof will do the flydoors no good and may even stop you from getting in.

So please let us have the option of normal doors, you can even fit the rear doors opening the other way. Just as long as they are doors and not roof!

Benz | 2. Februar 2013

@ landmal

As long as I am not absolutely sure about wat kind of EV I really want to buy, I will have to wait and be patient. The EV that I want to buy has to be near perfect for me. It will take some time to find out which one is best for me, but it will be worth it. Other people should also put more effort into it before making a choice. People who make a reservation and cancel it later take a wrong approach. It's not good for them and it's not good for Tesla Motors also. I do understand that there always will be a number of people who will cancel their reservation. But the fewer the better, I think. By the way, I do not mean to offend any person at all.

ian t.wa.us | 3. Februar 2013

I don't know why you'd want a wagon variant to be any longer than the S already is. I can't see one being made longer than the X.

Here's a rendering of an S wagon variant. Looks pretty slick to me. I'm a huge wagon fan and would love to see this on the road. If I don't get an X, I'd love to have something like this.

This station wagon variant model looks really great, and it just might be more successful than the Model S, as many people prefer to have a station wagon than a sedan. Certainly in Europe. This station wagon model just might give a further boost to the sales volumes of Tesla Motors. The future of the EV looks bright.

ian t.wa.us | 3. Februar 2013

You do realize this is just someone's photoshop creation and not a real car?

Wagons are popular in Europe but unfortunately not in the US. Europe gets so many great wagons!

Alas, I'd be really surprised to see this wagon ever happen.

Benz | 4. Februar 2013

Yes, I know that this picture has not been revealed by Tesla Motors. But a station wagon variant is very likely, I think.

mbcaffe | 4. Februar 2013

Hopefully they will make the Falcon doors optional.Falcon doors are a "California" feature. My friend will not reserve because he cannot put his surfboard on top.

Benz | 4. Februar 2013

Your friend could stop surfing, and start driving a Tesla EV (which offcourse is more fun than surfing, I think). Sorry for the joke. Many people think that the Falcon doors should be optional.